The General Assembly. By Prof. L. H. Atwater, D. D. [pp. 424-442]

The General Assernbly.
hlands that will pervert it. At the same time, it is a strong
and conclusive argument against conferring on any Board,
Commission, or Central Treasury, powers not essential to the
fullest organization and development of Christian beneficence
-such a prodigious power as that of determining where the
whole benevolent contributions of the Church shall go, and
whom they shall sustain. It is idle to deny that such a body
might make itself felt fearfully on one side or another of any
great questions of doctrine or polity that may hereafter agitate
the Church. And when the occasion arises, we have in time
past had abundant experience how great is the temptation to
use such a power in support of the views which those who
wield it suppose to be right. We think, therefore, the
present distribution of these functions to be preferred to the
concentration proposed, unless it can be shown to be necessary
to evoke the fullest benevolence of the Church. We have
shown that, so far from being conducive to such a result, it is
the reverse. We think, therefore, that the objection against
needless concentration of power holds in its full force, because
it is wholly unnecessary. We rejoice in unity, but unity in
wholesome variety. The reunion happily accomplished has
inspired some with a morbid passion for extreme unification.
They would have but one central Board, one quarterly, or
even weekly journal in the Church. Should such succeed in
realizing their aspirations, we apprehend that some of them
would be the first to tire and chafe under the dreary monotoily, the centralized irresistible supremacy, of single persons,
organs, boards, and agencies.
The great end, however, sought through this one central
treasury, we trust will be accomplished through the agency of
the Board of Benevolence and Finance as now constituted;
and that the day is near, when through Synods, Presbyteries,
Sessions, Pastors, and deacons, every member of our Church
will annually be informed as to the present necessities and
claims of each department of church work, and confronted
with the distinct personal responsibility of making or declining contributions to them. We are glad that the Assembly
has felt warranted to call for $500,000 for Foreign Missions;
$300,000 for Home Missions; and an addition of 331 per cent. to
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